A sealed copy of the video game Super Mario 64 breaks all the records at an auction, got sold for more than $1.5 million (£1.1m).
The game’s casing was from 1996 and was the launch title for the Nintendo 64 console. It was one of the most powerful early 3D platformers.
According to the auction house, there were “fewer than five” copies in such good condition.
The sale overshadowed another record-breaker game sale, an original Legend of Zelda cartridge which happened just two days before this.
That original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) cartridge sold for $870,000 on Friday. Hence, becoming the world’s most expensive game.
Both the games were not bought because of their rare gameplay experience. Instead, their physical memorabilia is valued, just like rare trading cards.
Furthermore, Nintendo has re-released both for its Nintendo Switch console.
Wata, a video collectable firm graded the Super Mario 64 cartridge at a 9.8 A++ rating. This means it is both in near-perfect condition and its seal is intact and “like new”.
But the high rating is not enough to guarantee a high auction price, still, it helps.
Another copy of Super Mario 64 in the same auction with a 9.6 A++ rating sold for a relatively affordable $13,200.
Nonetheless, the rarer copies the more it attracts the bidders.
Super Mario 64 was the best-selling game for the Nintendo 64 system and was an important game in video game history worldwide.
This marked Mario’s first move into three dimensions, different from his other origins.
While many modern gamers feel it has not aged particularly well and is widely thought to have significant camera issues, it is still considered among the best video games ever made.
Heritage Auctions, the company behind the sale, was taken by surprise at the huge price it eventually attracted.
The record-breaking auction this week saw a huge range of collectable games go for high prices – a copy of Final Fantasy III for the Super Nintendo sold for $96,000, as did a copy of Zelda.
